Jewel Shall Clasp Protector

ABSTRACT

This present invention relates to jewelry clasp protection caps. The jewelry clasp protection caps comprise two halves of covering clamshells forming an oval shaped inner chamber to allow the jewelry clasp to easily fit into the oval shaped chamber. In an embodiment, the two halves of covering clamshells are connected through an over-center spring-loaded hinge. The covering clamshells can open and close with the spring-loaded hinge. In another embodiment, the two halves are held in a closed position by engagement between a protrusion on one half and an engaging groove on the other half. The two clamshell members have at least two smooth recesses in their edges to form openings that allow the jewelry chain or chains to pass through the clamshell members. Different designs of the clamshell members can be provided to the jewelry wearer to match their different jewelry.

This application claims priority to provisional application Ser. No. 61/889,093 filed Oct. 10, 2013, to the extent allowed by law.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to jewelry, and more particularly to detachable accessories that assist in protecting and concealing the lock or clasp on jewelry chains, particularly necklaces. The present invention provides protection for the hair from entangling with the lock or clasp on the jewelry chains when the user is wearing the necklace. The present invention also provides a solution to the problem of the jewelry wearer who wants to make the lock or clasp more pleasing or wants variety in the appearance of the chain.

2. Background of the Invention

Necklaces and chains of different types have been an integral part of jewelry since the time of ancient civilizations and have been worn by people predating the invention of writing. Encircling a cord or chain of a necklace, bracelet, anklet, or similar item around a wearer's body part and joining the two separate ends of the chain is commonly used to make the chain stay on the wearer's body. The two separate strands are joined by a knot, clasp, or other joining mechanism once the body part has been encircled. The joint of the two separate strands is usually placed at the back of the wearer's neck or ankle, the bottom or inside of the wrist, or at some other location that is preferred not to be seen by others. Displacement and exposure of a clasp is highly undesirable to many wearers. It is preferred by most wearers to return the clasp to the back of the neck or other region of the body where it is out of sight when the jewelry is viewed from the front.

A common type of lock used on necklaces to connect the two ends of the necklace is a lobster clasp, also known as a lobster hook. The lock can be opened to attach a short link-chain or ring-like structure attached to the other end of the necklace. The lobster clasp is opened or closed by holding a small lever, usually with a fingernail that is long enough to apply. The lobster clasp is held in a closed position by a spring.

There are two problems involving the lobster clasp design used widely on necklaces. The first is that when the lobster clasp is opened or closed, the clasp mechanism catches the user's hair around the back of neck area easily and makes it hard to remove the hair from entangling with the clasp and the necklace chain over time. These necklaces thus have the tendency to cause hair breakage when worn. One other problem is the aesthetic deficiency presented by the lobster clasp. The necklace wearer tends to frequently rotate the jewelry chain to make the lobster clasp not visible from the front of the wearer. But even if the clasp is on the back of the neck, it still tends to look unattractive while the necklace is being worn.

It is not uncommon today that people wear more than one necklace at the same time. When a wearer wears multiple necklaces the necklaces tend to become tangled together. The tangled necklaces are unattractive and difficult to remove.

Several prior art references disclose devices that are intended to solve the above mentioned problems. U.S. Pat. No. 8,424,341 discloses a necklace accessory that provides a tubular member for preventing hair from getting tangled in jewelry, and preventing damage to a person's clothing. A fastener is used for securing the necklace cover along the jewelry and to aid in preventing the tubular cover from sliding along the jewelry when no force is applied.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,214,940 discloses a detachable dress cap for covering the lock of a jewelry chain, particularly a necklace or bracelet, so as to conceal the hook of the necklace. The disclosed dress cap includes two hinged portions and a latch between the two hinged portions, wherein at least one of the portions includes a concave surface for encompassing the lock. The two hinged portions are detachably secured to each other thereby securing the dress cap to the necklace chain. This disclosed device, however, still requires the frictional engagement of the male portion of the latch that extends into a slot on the other portion of the cap. The disclosed latching structure is undesirable because the use of the latch may still cause the breakage of the user's hair. Also the aesthetic deficiency of the necklace chain is left unsolved due to the structure and design of the disclosed device.

Objects of the Invention

The present invention is directed to necklace hook covers. One object of this invention is to conceal the lock of a piece of chain jewelry inside a hollow jewelry clasp protection cap. The hollow jewelry clasp protection cap fits over any necklace lock and prevents a person's hair from becoming tangled in the clasp and hinges.

It is a further object of this invention to provide aesthetically designed shapes of the covering clasp to greatly improve the appearance of the chain and hook of the necklace. This feature of the invention is designed to become an extension of the piece of jewelry as it accessorizes the original piece of jewelry.

It is a further object of this invention to help prevent the clasp from rotating to the front of the wearer's body while being worn.

It is a further object of this invention to prevent multiple necklaces from becoming tangled together, as each necklace will remain independent while being worn.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises two halves of covering clamshells forming an oval shaped inner chamber to allow the necklace lock to easily fit into the oval shaped chamber. The two halves of covering clamshells are connected through a spring-loaded hinge. The covering clamshells can open and close with the spring-loaded hinge. The two clamshell members have at least two smooth recesses in their edges to form apertures that allow the jewelry chain or chains to pass through the clamshell members. Different designs of the clamshell members can be provided to the jewelry wearer to match their different jewelry.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention may best be understood from the following detailed description of currently illustrated embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like numerals refer to like parts, and in which:

FIG. 1A depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of the jewelry clasp protection cap in an opened position.

FIG. 1B depicts a perspective view of the jewelry clasp protection cap of FIG. 1A in a half opened position.

FIG. 1C depicts a perspective view of the jewelry clasp protection cap of FIG. 1A in a closed position.

FIG. 1D depicts a cross sectional view of the spring-loaded hinge connecting the two halves of the covering clamshell members of all embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2A depicts a perspective view of a second embodiment of the jewelry clasp protection cap in an opened position.

FIG. 2B depicts a perspective view of the jewelry clasp protection cap of FIG. 2A in a half opened position.

FIG. 2C depicts a perspective view of the jewelry clasp protection cap of FIG. 2A in a closed position.

FIG. 2D depicts a top-down view of one covering clamshell of the jewelry clasp protection cap of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2E depicts a side perspective view of the jewelry clasp protection cap of FIG. 2A in a half opened position, including a hinge member and snap lock.

FIG. 3A depicts a perspective view of a third embodiment of the jewelry clasp protection cap in an opened position.

FIG. 3B depicts a perspective view of the jewelry clasp protection cap of FIG. 3A in a half opened position.

FIG. 3C depicts a perspective view of the jewelry clasp protection cap of FIG. 3A in a closed position.

FIG. 3D depicts a top-down view of one covering clamshell of the jewelry clasp protection cap of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the jewelry clasp protection cap of FIG. 3A, showing the lobster clasp of a necklace in between the cap halves prior to closing the cap halves.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIG. 1A, the invention is in the form of a flower shaped protection cap 10. A first clamshell member 12 and a second clamshell member 14 are shown in FIG. 1A. Both clamshell members 12 and 14 are flower shaped and each have five petals 13 in the presented embodiment. The clamshell members 12 and 14 have smooth edges so that the protection cap will not cause hair breakage when the cap 10 encloses the hook or clasp of a necklace on the back of the wearer's neck. FIG. 1D depicts a cross sectional view of the spring-loaded hinge connecting the two halves of the covering clamshell members of all embodiments of the present invention.

The clamshell members 12 and 14 are pivotally connected to each other through a hinge member 16. The hinge member 16 pivotably engages a first end of the first clamshell member 12 and a first end of the second clamshell member 14. The structure of the hinge member 16 is detailed in FIG. 1D as will be described. The hinge member 16 allows the two halves 12 and 14 to move between a closed position around the hook or clasp of a necklace and an open position to allow a necklace hook to be inserted between clamshell members 12 and 14.

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the jewelry clasp protection cap 10 in a half opened position. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper clamshell member 12 and the lower clamshell member 14 both have concave configurations forming a chamber 17 (FIG. 1C) to hold a lobster hook of a necklace. As shown in FIG. 1C, when the upper clamshell member 12 and the lower clamshell member 14 are in their closed position, chamber 17 is closed. The slots 15 between each petal 13 of the upper and lower clamshell members 12 and 14 form slots 15 to allow the chain of the necklace to pass through chamber 17. The range of widths of the slots 15 formed by the petals 13 in clamshell members 12 and 14 when in the closed position can vary according to the sizes of the petals 13 to fit any hook and chain sizes of the necklaces.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1A-D, the bottom half 14 of the protection clasp 10 has a flat bottom with a ridged surface, while the top half 12 is vaulted. The ridged surface is adapted to prevent the protection clasp 10 from sliding. The flat bottom 18 is intended to be worn adjacent to the wearer's skin when used. This flat bottom has the advantage of contact with the wearer's skin, and to provide friction that assists in preventing the protection clasp 10 from moving forward.

The jewelry clasp protection cap 10 can thus be made to accommodate different chain designs from different necklaces. Having a plurality of petals 13 gives the protection cap 10 the ability to hold more chains in a multiple-chain array through different passages 15. This structure reduces the chance that chains from different necklaces will tangle together with each other. The smooth edge of the petals 13 and all smooth surfaces of the clamshell members 12 and 14 protect the jewelry wearer's hair from breakage when the protection cap 10 is enclosed over the hook assembly of a necklace adjacent the rear of the neck of a wearer.

In one embodiment, the hinge member 16, illustrated in detail in FIG. 1D, comprises a spring-loaded resistive hinge. The hinge member 16 has a first hinge side 20 and a second hinge side 22. The first hinge side 20 and the second hinge side 22 are pivotally connected to each other through pivot 24. The first hinge side 20 and the second hinge side 22 can rotate around the pivot 24 to enable the opening and closing of clamshell members 12 and 14. The pivot 24 resistively engages the clamshell members 12 and 14 so the clamshell members 12 and 14 can stay in either their opened or closed positions. In the illustrated embodiment, the pivot 24 is an over-center mechanism, as is known in the art. When the clamshell members 12 and 14 are in their half opened position at a certain angle, the pivot 24 applies a force to the clamshell members 12 and 14 to either force them opened or closed. When the clamshell members 12 and 14 are in their opened position, a stopper 18 is used to limit the maximum opening of the clamshell members 12 and 14. In the illustrated embodiment in FIG. 1D, the stopper 18 is attached to the top clamshell member 24.

Referring to FIG. 1B, two ends 24, 26 of a single strand necklace are shown removably attached to each other by a lobster clasp 28, or any other type of necklace clasp as are known in the art. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1B and 1C, the strand ends 24, 26 extend outward through openings 30, 32 between the petals 13, respectively. When clamshell members 12, 14 are closed (FIG. 1C) over lobster clasp 28, the wearer's hair cannot become tangled with lobster clasp 28. In addition, the rounded or beveled edges of petals 13 prevent the wearer's hair from becoming tangled on parts of the protection cap 10.

Magnets such as magnetic strips or stronger magnets can be used for the purpose of securing the closure of the protection clasp 10. The opposite pole magnet elements can be applied at the far end of the clamshells 12 and 14 opposite the connecting hinge member 16, such as magnet 19 shown in FIG. 1A. The magnet elements can also be applied inside the chamber 17 formed by the clamshells 12 and 14, such as magnet 21 shown in FIG. 1A. Other than securing the closure of the protection clasp 10, the magnets 19, 21 can also secure the metal lobster hook 28 of the necklace to better prevent the hook from falling out of the protection clasp 10.

In additional embodiments, various styles and designs can be used for the same utility of the present invention, including flower, sea shell, and pearl shaped by way of example. FIGS. 2A-2D illustrate the embodiment of the present invention in a sea shell shaped design, as shown from the top-down view of the protection clasp in FIG. 2D. Similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1C, FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate the jewelry clasp protection cap 200 in its opened position, half-opened position, and closed position, respectively. The two halves of this embodiment 202 and 204 are shell shaped and are also connected with each other through a spring loaded hinge member 206. The spring loaded hinge member 206 has the same or similar structure and operating function as the hinge member illustrated in FIG. 1D. The surfaces and edges of the clamshell members 202 and 204 are smooth to protect the chains and wearer's hair. The clamshell members 202 and 204 also provide slots 208 for the necklace chains to pass through at the closed position illustrated in FIG. 2C. The bottom 210 of the lower clamshell 204 is also flat and ridged, as illustrated in FIG. 2C. The ridged surface is adapted to prevent the protection clasp 200 from sliding.

In an alternate embodiment shown in FIG. 2E, the two halves of this embodiment 202 and 204 are connected with each other through a snap-together free hinge member 207. A protrusion 212 on half 202, opposite the hinge member 207, engages groove 214 on half 204, snapping together and keeping the two halves 202, 204 closed together. This alternate embodiment comprising a hinge and the protrusion and groove snap lock can replace the spring-loaded resistive hinge member 16 shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1D and the spring-loaded hinge member 306 shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3D and FIG. 4. Alternatively, magnets such as magnetic strips or stronger magnets can be used for the purpose of securing the closure of the protection clasp instead of using the protrusion and groove to keep the two halves 202, 204 closed together. The opposite pole magnet elements can be applied at the far end of the halves 202, 204 opposite the connecting free hinge member 207, such as magnet 219 shown in FIG. 2A. The magnet elements can also be applied inside the chamber 217 formed by the two halves 202, 204, such as magnet 221 shown in FIG. 2A. Other than securing the closure of the protection clasp 200, the magnets 219, 221 can also secure the metal lobster hook of the necklace to better prevent the hook from falling out of the protection clasp. The snap-together free hinge member can replace the spring-loaded resistive hinge member in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1A-1D, 3A-3D, and 4 as well.

FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate a further embodiment of the present invention in a pearl shaped design, as shown from the top-down view of the protection cap 300 in FIG. 3D. Similar to previous illustrations, FIGS. 3A-3C detail the jewelry clasp protection cap 300 in its opened position, half-opened position, and closed position, respectively. The two halves 302 and 304 of this embodiment are pearl shaped and are also connected with each other through a spring loaded hinge member 306. The spring loaded hinge member 306 has the same or similar structure and function as the hinge member illustrated in FIG. 1D. The surfaces and edges of the clamshell members 302 and 304 are smooth to protect the chains and wearer's hair. The clamshell members 302 and 304 also include a plurality of slots 308 for the necklace chains to pass through as illustrated in FIG. 4. The bottom 309 of the lower clamshell 204 can also be made flat and ridged, as illustrated in FIG. 3C. The ridged surface is adapted to prevent the protection clasp 300 from sliding.

FIG. 4 illustrates the pearl shaped protection cap 300 in a partially open position, and having necklace chain ends 324 and 326 attached to each other by lobster clasp 328. Each chain end 324, 326 extends through a respective slot 308, and an excess length of chain 330 also extends through a slot 308. When protection cap half 302 is closed against cap half 304, lobster clasp 328 is enclosed in chamber 317 of protection cap 300, preventing the user's hair from becoming entangled in clasp 328. Also, if desired, an additional jewelry item can be attached to excess chain length 330.

The present invention is designed and developed to fit any necklace clasp to prevent a person's hair from being engaged by or entangled in the clasp and hinges. The weight of the protection cap can be relatively light to prevent the rotation of the necklace chain when worn around the neck. The material used to make the present invention can be selected from metal material, plastic, composition, die-cut material, or a combination of the above mentioned materials.

The outer surfaces of the present invention come in various colors to compliment the necklace, such as silver, gold, black and rhinestone. Thus, the protection caps 10, 200 and 300 each provide an aesthetically pleasing piece of jewelry when worn at the rear of a person's neck.

While one particular embodiment of a jewelry clasp protection cap of the present invention has been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the present invention. It is the intent of the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. 

We claim:
 1. A jewelry clasp protection cap comprising: a. a first clamshell member; b. a second clamshell member: c. said first and second clamshell members having smooth edges and a plurality of slots in the substantially smooth edges; d. said first and second clamshell members defining a chamber when in a closed position, said chamber adapted to house at least one jewelry clasp; and e. a hinge having a first hinge side connected to the first clamshell member and a second hinge side connected to the second clamshell member, said first clamshell member and second clamshell member pivotable around said hinge between open and closed positions.
 2. The jewelry clasp protection cap of claim 1, wherein the first clamshell member and the second clamshell member have concave configurations forming the chamber.
 3. The jewelry clasp protection cap of claim 1, wherein the first clamshell member and the second clamshell member include a plurality of petals disposed between the plurality of slots, said plurality of petals adapted to hold a variety of sizes of chains and hooks and said plurality of slots adapted to form a passage that allows a necklace chain to pass through the chamber.
 4. The jewelry clasp protection cap of claim 1, wherein the first clamshell member is vaulted.
 5. The jewelry clasp protection cap of claim 1, wherein the second clamshell member has a flat ridged bottom adapted to be worn adjacent to the user's skin.
 6. The jewelry clasp protection cap of claim 1, wherein the first hinge side and the second hinge side are pivotally connected to each other through a pivot.
 7. The jewelry clasp protection cap of claim 6, wherein the pivot is an over-center mechanism.
 8. The jewelry clasp protection cap of claim 1, further comprising a stopper to limit the maximum opening of the first clamshell member and the second clamshell member.
 9. The jewelry clasp protection cap of claim 8, wherein the stopper is connected to the first clamshell member.
 10. The jewelry clasp protection cap of claim 3, wherein the plurality of petals have at least one of rounded and beveled edges adapted to prevent the user's hair from becoming tangled on the protection cap.
 11. The jewelry clasp protection cap of claim 1, wherein the first clamshell member includes a first magnet member opposite the hinge and the second clamshell member includes a second magnet member opposite the hinge, said first magnet member of opposite polarity from said second magnet member, said first magnet member and said second magnet member adapted to secure at least one of the closure of the jewelry clasp protection cap and a metal hook of a necklace to the jewelry clasp protection cap.
 12. The jewelry clasp protection cap of claim 1, wherein the first clamshell member and the second clamshell member are designed in the shape of one of a flower, a sea shell, and a pearl.
 13. The jewelry clasp protection cap of claim 1, wherein the weight of the jewelry clasp protection cap prevents the rotation of a necklace chain when worn around a user's neck.
 14. The jewelry clasp protection cap of claim 1, wherein the jewelry clasp protection cap is made of at least one of metal, plastic, composition, and die-cut material.
 15. The jewelry clasp protection cap of claim 1, wherein an outer surface of the jewelry clasp protection cap is at least one of a silver color, a gold color, a black color, or rhinestone.
 16. The jewelry clasp protection cap of claim 1, wherein the hinge is a resistive hinge providing constant pressure to the first clamshell member and second clamshell member in their closed position.
 17. The jewelry clasp protection cap of claim 1, wherein the first clamshell member includes a protrusion opposite the hinge and the second clamshell member includes a groove opposite the hinge, said protrusion and said groove adapted to snap together and secure the closure of the jewelry clasp protection cap. 